Author: David Great

The head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mahamet Annadif has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in conducting peaceful elections in 2023. UN Spokesperson, Mr Stéphane Dujarric, told correspondents at a news conference in New York on Monday, that Annadif gave the assurance when he met with the Chairman and members of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission. According to Dujarric, Annadif is in Nigeria for a two-day visit to meet Nigerian authorities, civil society, the diplomatic community as well as UN staff. “In a Tweet, he said he reiterated the UN’s commitment to…

The Federal Government has threatened to sanction any fuel stations or depot selling above the stipulated approved pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The threat followed the persistent fuel scarcity being witnessed in the FCT and its environs as well as in other parts of the country. Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) gave the warning on Monday during a joint inspection on fuel stations in Abuja. The exercise was carried out in collaboration with some top officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Petroleum Pipeline and Marketing Company…

Battles over abortion shifted to state courts on Monday after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure nationwide, as judges blocked statewide bans in Louisiana and Utah and clinics in Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi and Texas sued seeking similar relief. The six are among the 13 states with “trigger laws” designed to ban or severely restrict abortions once the Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized a right to the procedure, as it did on Friday. In Louisiana, abortion services that had been halted since Friday began resuming after Orleans Parish Civil…

Arsenal have submitted a £35m offer for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez and appear to be leading Manchester United in the race for the 24-year-old Argentina international. (Mirror) Tottenham want to sign Brazil forward Richarlison, 25, and English winger Anthony Gordon, 21, from Everton in a double deal. Chelsea are also interested in Richarlison. (Sky Sports) But Everton are not interested in selling Gordon, whose contract with the Goodison Park club runs until 2025, as part of any transfer involving Richarlison. (Liverpool Echo) Spurs are also firm favourites to land Barcelona and France defender Clement Lenglet, despite interest from Roma in…

In his Arab apothecary shop in the historic neighbourhood of Bab al-Shaaria in the heart of Cairo, herbalist Rabea al-Habashi shows what he calls his “magical blends”. Mr Habashi has made a name for himself selling aphrodisiacs and natural sexual enhancements in the Egyptian capital. For the past few years, though, he has seen a change in what his customers most want. “Most men are now going for the blue pills which they get from the Western companies,” he says. According to several studies, young Arab men have been increasingly using drugs such as sildenafil (known commercially as Viagra), vardenafil…

At least 46 people have been found dead in an abandoned lorry on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas. A Texas fire official said 16 people, including four children, had also been taken to hospital. The survivors were “hot to the touch” and suffering from heat stroke and heat exhaustion. San Antonio, which is 250km (150 miles) from the US-Mexican border, is a major transit route for people smugglers. Human traffickers often use lorries to transport undocumented migrants after meeting them in remote areas once they have managed to cross into the United States. “They had families…and were likely trying…

Chelsea have made contact with Manchester City about a move for England forward Raheem Sterling. Sterling, who joined from Liverpool in a £49m deal in 2015 and has scored 131 goals in 339 games, is a major transfer target for new Blues owner Todd Boehly. It is understood Chelsea are yet to lodge a formal bid for the 27-year-old, but one is expected shortly. Sterling has a year left on his contract and is understood to be reviewing his options. Sterling, who has 77 England caps, has never made any secret of his desire to play as much as possible…

President Muhammadu Buhari says he received the resignation letter of the outgone Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad with mixed feelings. Buhari noted that he wished that the CJN could serve all his full term in office after he was sworn-in in 2019. He however warned the incoming CJN, Honourable Olukayode Ariwoola and other justices of the Supreme Court remain faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially with the 2023 election around the corner. Read President Buhari’s speech below: Earlier today, I received a letter from the Honourable Justice Dr. I. Tanko Muhammad, CFR, resigning…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday swore in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the swearing of Ariwoola, the next most senior in the hierarchy of the Supreme Court, as the new CJN followed the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad. The acting CJN was born on August 22, 1958 and appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. He was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2011. He was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been…

United States goalkeeper Matt Turner says he has been “able to realise a dream” after completing his move to Arsenal. The 28-year-old has joined the Gunners on a long-term deal – which was agreed in February – from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution. He made 102 appearances for New England during his six years with the club. “Watching Arsenal as a kid, I fell in love with the way the team plays and the values of this club,” said Matt Turner. He’s here! ???? Welcome to N5, Matty ???? pic.twitter.com/G3IuQKoHKi — Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 27, 2022 “It felt like…